Quade Cooper baffles rugby fans with crypic tweet after All Blacks win

Quade Cooper has raised eyebrows with a social media post after the Wallabies’ 33-24 defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, appearing to link New Zealand’s looming withdrawal from The Rugby Championship to Saturday’s near miss.

The Wallabies’ 23-year Bledisloe drought was extended for another year as they fell agonisingly short despite clawing their way back from 20-3 down to within two points with 11 minutes left.

Halfback Cam Roigard, who crossed twice, finally broke their resistance after Harry Potter’s yellow card, sealing a 52nd straight All Blacks win at Eden Park.

It was another bruising reminder of Australia’s decades-long struggles at the Auckland fortress, compounded by 14 penalties blown against them by Italian referee Andrea Piardi. Joe Schmidt’s side also lost their one-point lead in The Rugby Championship standings, with New Zealand reclaiming top spot.

Another interesting take came afterwards when Cooper – who hasn’t played for the Wallabies since 2023 – dropped a cryptic reflection on X:

“Epic game to watch.. for the first time in a long time there was genuine belief from everyone that we could do it. All Blacks felt vulnerable and we seemed to have shown we have not only heart but the skills and tactics to get the job done. Once again ABs have shown why they are the benchmark along with the world champs. I understand why they are looking to exit rugby champs for the foreseeable future.”

On the surface it was a compliment, acknowledging the All Blacks’ enduring quality. But his final line has been read in different ways. Was Cooper suggesting that New Zealand want out of the Championship precisely because the Wallabies are becoming more competitive? Or simply noting that the All Blacks and Springboks see greater commercial value in old-school tours?

Or was he hinting at the Bledisloe rivalry continuing even in the absence of the Rugby Championship?

It left a few fellow X users baffled.

“First time it’s competitive in a long time and they’re looking to exit. Makes no sense,” wrote one user, while another account replied: “You understand? Why, because they’re both very beatable now?”

Both SA Rugby and NZR have signalled their intention to step away after this season, with the All Blacks to tour South Africa in 2026 and the Springboks returning the favour in 2030.

The irony is that this year’s Rugby Championship has been the best in years: close games, momentum swings and a genuine sense that the gap between the four sides has narrowed.

But, just as the tournament has rediscovered its bite, its long-term future is being mothballed.

That shift will put the competition into cold storage until at least 2029, leaving Australia and Argentina to make other arrangements. It’s understood the Wallabies are in ongoing talks regarding touring and the future of the Bledisloe Cup.

Schmidt himself admitted before the match that, given the choice, Australia would rather win back the Bledisloe Cup than the Rugby Championship trophy.

“I think if you gave them a choice, (the Wallabies) would take the Bledisloe over the Rugby Championship,” said Schmidt. “Just the tradition of it; it’s older and more ingrained than the more modern Rugby Championship, as much as they certainly want to go after that and they’re in good position to do it.”